Raised in an IFB church. Left over certain dogmatism among various branches of fundamental Baptists. Spent a life in study and now find my fundamentals in the faith force me back home. You brethren can see an overview of my faith confession in the New Member Introduction.
I am a believer in unmerited election of the believer based solely on the plan and purpose of God and a particular redemption for those elected alone. This is different than most Fundamental Baptists, but I hope we can fellowship as saints since we both believe in the eternal security of the believer based on the plan and power of our Triune God.
On "soul liberty", I hold to more individual liberty than some. I appreciate the views of many on the question of alcohol, movies, mixed-swimming, TV, tobacco, etc. and can see the validity of their Scriptural reasons. But, I see how others can view it differently from Scripture in Romans 14. So, I may be more flexible here.
I am not a Classical Dispensationalist like the Scofield I was raised with in my youth. But, I do hold to stages in the redemption story as unfolded in the Bible that I find expressed in Scripture and in interpretation, hold to these. I give them briefly as I view them.
First, and importantly, I see God's enduring law from creation to "the last day": Gen. 26:5 existed prior to Moses and Rom. 13:9,10 is still in effect. Murder, adultery, theft, etc., were sins prior to the giving of the Decalogue and the Mosaic Law and are still sin after the Mosaic law was fulfilled, completed, abolished by Jesus Christ.
1. A period called "ancient world" 2 Pt. 2:5 ASV which is from creation to Abraham
2. Promise from Abraham to "the last day" which envelopes the Old Covenant and the New Covenant, Ga3:6-9,14,16,18,29
3. Mosaic law (Old Covenant) begins with Moses Dt.4:8 and ends at the cross Col.2:14. There is NO Mosaic Law now! Never was the law for Gentiles!
4. The "Kingdom of God" from the 1st advent and 70AD through eternity future... Mk1:15, Mt12:18; 16:28 to 1 Co. 15:24,25
5. I identify the church and gospel age as the same as the "kingdom of God/Christ"
(I find the 4 gospels to record Jesus living under the Old Covenant and looking forward to the New Covenant. I find Acts a transition period with heavy Jewish conflicts. In the Epistles I find statements made that are often from a Jewish perspective and I take note how often the translators add "the" before the word "law" causing confusion.)
I do not look for a 1000 year reign of Jesus Christ from Jerusalem in the future, but if it happens, I am not going to be astonished at it. I do know it will not be a re-institution of the Old Covenant though because Jesus Christ fulfilled and completed that, ending it. I post this brief description of my belief system to try and avoid confusion and start on an even footing. I am 100% behind the poster who pointed out how many Baptist churches hide their name behind such things as "... Community Church", etc. If Baptist, state it clearly for all to see! If Fundamental Baptist as distinct from the ABC or SBC, Freewill Baptists, state it! I look forward to chatting here.
I am a believer in unmerited election of the believer based solely on the plan and purpose of God and a particular redemption for those elected alone. This is different than most Fundamental Baptists, but I hope we can fellowship as saints since we both believe in the eternal security of the believer based on the plan and power of our Triune God.
On "soul liberty", I hold to more individual liberty than some. I appreciate the views of many on the question of alcohol, movies, mixed-swimming, TV, tobacco, etc. and can see the validity of their Scriptural reasons. But, I see how others can view it differently from Scripture in Romans 14. So, I may be more flexible here.
I am not a Classical Dispensationalist like the Scofield I was raised with in my youth. But, I do hold to stages in the redemption story as unfolded in the Bible that I find expressed in Scripture and in interpretation, hold to these. I give them briefly as I view them.
First, and importantly, I see God's enduring law from creation to "the last day": Gen. 26:5 existed prior to Moses and Rom. 13:9,10 is still in effect. Murder, adultery, theft, etc., were sins prior to the giving of the Decalogue and the Mosaic Law and are still sin after the Mosaic law was fulfilled, completed, abolished by Jesus Christ.
1. A period called "ancient world" 2 Pt. 2:5 ASV which is from creation to Abraham
2. Promise from Abraham to "the last day" which envelopes the Old Covenant and the New Covenant, Ga3:6-9,14,16,18,29
3. Mosaic law (Old Covenant) begins with Moses Dt.4:8 and ends at the cross Col.2:14. There is NO Mosaic Law now! Never was the law for Gentiles!
4. The "Kingdom of God" from the 1st advent and 70AD through eternity future... Mk1:15, Mt12:18; 16:28 to 1 Co. 15:24,25
5. I identify the church and gospel age as the same as the "kingdom of God/Christ"
(I find the 4 gospels to record Jesus living under the Old Covenant and looking forward to the New Covenant. I find Acts a transition period with heavy Jewish conflicts. In the Epistles I find statements made that are often from a Jewish perspective and I take note how often the translators add "the" before the word "law" causing confusion.)
I do not look for a 1000 year reign of Jesus Christ from Jerusalem in the future, but if it happens, I am not going to be astonished at it. I do know it will not be a re-institution of the Old Covenant though because Jesus Christ fulfilled and completed that, ending it. I post this brief description of my belief system to try and avoid confusion and start on an even footing. I am 100% behind the poster who pointed out how many Baptist churches hide their name behind such things as "... Community Church", etc. If Baptist, state it clearly for all to see! If Fundamental Baptist as distinct from the ABC or SBC, Freewill Baptists, state it! I look forward to chatting here.
